INDIANAPOLIS — Not-so-frightful animals, pumpkins galore and a whimsical village to explore — the Indianapolis Zoo has conjured some fantastic new ways for families to celebrate Halloween during the reimagined ZooBoo presented by Central Indiana Honda Dealers.

Now beginning its 36th year, this beloved fall event includes four extra days for visitors to enjoy the spooktacular festivities. ZooBoo kicks off Oct. 5 and continues every Thursday through Sunday all month long. The Zoo opens daily at 9am, so guests are encouraged to come early to visit their favorite animals, then event activities go on from 2-7pm.

With the all-new experiences in Pumpkin Town presented by Macy’s, this year’s ZooBoo is bigger than ever before. Under the cover of the Bicentennial Pavilion awaits a magical town where little witches and goblins can discover fun all around. There’s nothing to fear from encounters with fascinating critters, including toads, turtles, rats and cats. In partnership with the Humane Society of Indianapolis, the cats will be available for adoption following ZooBoo.

Inside the Candy Corn Factory presented by Metro PCS, the mirror maze hides thrills and smiles around every corner. A friendly witch offers potions to transform special treats. Guests can also stop in at a crafty Pumpkin School, dance to Halloween music and try a few rolls of Pumpkin Bowling presented by Universal Windows Direct.

More Halloween fun is waiting elsewhere around the Zoo, too. Children can dash down Broomstick Alley presented by State Farm. Plus, the Zoo’s rides also feature a wild twist, like the Spooktacular Train Ride and the Round-Go-Merry — the carousel that moves in reverse.

Costumes are encouraged and kids can bring a reusable bag to collect a few goodies along the Trick-or-Treat Trail presented by Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital at St. Vincent, located in Plains. Allergy-friendly snacks are available upon request, and all Halloween treats are either palm-oil free, contain sustainable palm oil or are produced by a member of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil, which is working to make orangutan-friendly palm oil readily available.

Even the Zoo’s animals get into the spirit of the season. Mild fall temperatures mean the animals will be out and active, providing the perfect backdrop for all the festivities. Plus, visitors can enjoy extra chats, Halloween-themed animal enrichment and special activities, like the messy fun of the Elephant Pumpkin Smash presented by Sam’s Club.

ZooBoo is free for Zoo members and included with regular admission. Discount tickets are available at area Donatos and Indiana Members Credit Union locations.

Guests of all ages are encouraged to attend in family friendly costumes. Each night, Disney’s “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” will be shown at Lenape Indian Camp. The story will also be shared through nightly marionette shows. Magic shows, storytelling, face painting, ghostly vortexes, fortune telling, music and more are offered each night.

And guests are asked to visit a new craft area each night of Headless Horseman and help ghouls create 6,000 origami bats. Once that feat is achieved and verified, Conner Prairie will be eligible to be listed in the Guinness Book of World Records.

The Apple Store at Conner Prairie has extended hours each night of Headless Horseman. The store will serve up its popular gourmet caramel apples plus fresh cider slushies, popcorn, rice crispy treats and more until 9 p.m. each night.

And Headless Horseman guests can take in the fall sights and Conner Scairie from above as the 1859 Balloon Voyage exhibit will be open each night, weather permitting.

Sponsored by Reynolds, Goodwill, Marsh Supermarkets and Fishers Family Dentistry, Headless Horseman runs from 6-9 p.m. Oct. 9-11, 15-18 and 22-25. Activities and hayrides may run past 10 p.m. Tickets on Thursday and Sundays are $10 in advance, $12 at the gate and free for Conner Prairie members. Tickets for Fridays and Saturdays are $14 in advance, $16 at the gate and free for Plus Level members.

Conner Prairie members can take advantage of a host of Headless Horseman perks, including free admission and an Express Pass to ride the hayride. For a list of perks, visit http://bit.ly/1KVFINb. Guests may sign up to become a Conner Prairie member at the entrance of Headless Horseman.

Spanning 850 wooded acres in central Indiana, Conner Prairie welcomes more than 360,000 visitors of all ages annually. As Indiana’s only Smithsonian Institute affiliate, Conner Prairie offers various outdoor, historically themed destinations and indoor experiential learning spaces that combine history and art with science, technology, engineering and math to offer an authentic look into history that shapes society today.

If you’re at a loss for what to do on Halloween weekend, there are plenty fun events going on in Madison, Indiana. On Friday, October 25 at 7 p.m. start your weekend off right at the Village Lights Poetry Night’s open sign-up and mic night. You can read your own work or that of a favorite poet. The emcee for the event is well known Madison poet Jill Kelly Koren.

Of course, on Friday you can also take advantage of the Fourth Friday Art Jam. This celebration of the arts occurs on the sidewalks and shops of the downtown area. Whether you are seeking art, listening to music, gazing at galleries, looking around, or grabbing something good to eat there is plenty to see and do from 5-8 p.m. along Madison’s Main Street.

On Saturday, October 26 continue the fun with Live Music in the Twain Room at the Village Lights Bookstore. From 1-3 p.m. listen to Cincinnati’s Tom Schneider and his mesmerizing monthly mélange of American Songbook standards, Broadway show tunes, bossa-nova/Latin, blues, and jazz on the Steinway grand.

After grabbing a bite to eat at one of the many downtown restaurants, take the kids to the Spooky Mansion between 6-8 p.m. (only on the 26th). “Our Spooky Mansion is designed for younger children and includes the King and Queen of Halloween as well as Trick-or-Treating and a craft project the kids can do.” says Gerry Reilly, site manager for the Lanier Mansion (see photo above). The activities are all ongoing between 6-8 p.m. The admission fee is only $3 per child (1 free adult admission per child). For more information contact Gerry Reilly at 812-273-0556.

For the adults, enjoy The Annual Halloween Party from 8-11 p.m. at the Thomas Family Winery at 208 E. Second Street. Costumes aren’t required but you’ll definitely feel like the odd man out if you aren’t wearing one. For more information call 800-948-8466.

Find out more information about what events are happening in Madison by going to the Visit Madison Facebook page or http://visitmadison.org/.